I was told recently that I was stubborn and refuse to take the advice, or listen to the opinions of others. I popped back with, “When they walk in the flesh, I don’t care about their opinions or advice”. I took it to the Lord and have been mulling this over for two days now. I have never been accused of being overly tactful or diplomatic. But this sounded kind of harsh, even to me.
Then I saw that I have been trained from childhood to discard that which is not true, to the best of my ability. The battle was always there. They cursed me and spoke awful things over me. Prophesied a future of doom and gloom for me. Jesus would tell me, “That’s not true. They don’t know you”. His grace is always sufficient. I’m not going to repeat those demonic torments as they are under the Blood of Jesus and behind me. Thank You, Lord.
As I matured a bit more in the Lord, I was unsure of so many things. I began to seek out “wiser” people for advice. “Spiritual” people. There were so many things I should do, meetings to attend, books to read. My gentle walk with the Holy Spirit was turning into a lot of work for a working/going to school single mother. The Lord would have to untangle me from the erroneous teaching I was getting, and He did. I started saying things like, “No. God did not tell me to do that. I’m staying home with my son tonight”. And the weight on my heart and shoulders left as I slowly returned to a walk of the unforced rhythms of grace. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I had a friend once who was trying to talk me into taking a trip to Europe on my credit card. I could not do it. I was watching pennies out of obedience, not fear. She pushed. I went to the Lord to ask if I’d missed it and was I supposed to go? He said very plainly, “Never take financial advice from someone who has foreclosed on two houses”. Job’s friends like to tell you what you need to do, what you're doing wrong, how you can improve yourself.
Do not mistake fleshly advice for godly wisdom. If it’s from the Lord, there is a stamp of truth on it. You will know it. Don’t try to find a committee (usually of Job’s friends) to agree with you. This is between you and God. That’s enough.
So, no, I do not usually seek out the advice or opinions of others. I’m not interested. I’ve learned that those trying the hardest to steer me usually do not know the Word, cannot recognize the Lord’s voice and frankly do not know their right hand from their left. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. Let Him direct your paths.
Matthew 11:28-30
The Message
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
Jonah 4:11
And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.